Now is the time to dive into the PADI Open Water Diver course, the most popular dive program in the world! This is your ticket to a lifetime of intense adventure with PADI, the dive company that sets the standards in the global diving community.

 

Why PADI Open Water?
As a certified PADI Open Water Diver, the most widely recognized and respected rating in the world, you have the freedom to dive with a buddy independent of a professional. If you already tried a PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience or are PADI Scuba Diver certified, check with your instructor to see how credit from these courses may apply to the open water program.

 

What do I need to start? 
Virtually anyone who is in good health, reasonably fit, and comfortable in the water can earn a PADI Open Water Diver certification. You must be older than the age of 14 to begin the PADI Open Water Diver program. For those of you who are not above the age of 14 and would like to participate in the PADI Open Water Diver Program, then the PADI Jr Open Water Diver program is available to you. If you are between 10 and 14 or have a child between these ages, there is a PADI Junior Open Water Diver program available.

 

• A PADI Jr. Open Water Diver between the ages of 10 and 11 years may only dive with a PADI Professional, a certified parent or certified guardian to a maximum depth of 12 meters/40 feet.
   

• Print & Fill out Medical Form and Bring to Class.

 

What will I do?
Throughout the course, you’ll learn fundamentals of scuba diving, including dive equipment and techniques. You earn this rating by completing five pool dives and knowledge development sessions and by making four open water (ocean or lake) dives.

 

How long will it take?
PADI programs are performance based. You proceed as you demonstrate mastery of the course skills. This allows you to work at a pace that is comfortable for you.

 

*Some PADI Open Water classes only take two days to complete! Why are seven sessions better?

During the second night of class, we ask students if they feel ready to go diving yet. We have yet one student to feel ready after only two sessions in the pool! Learning the important diving skills one needs to be safe takes time, and we want all of our students to be completely comfortable with these skills. After the longer course, our students feel prepared and confident in their skills to have a fun, safe dive! 

 

What will I need?

• PADI Open Water Crew-Pak

• PADI Open Water Video or DVD

• Log Book

 

Open Water Class and Pool Training
We offer Open Water Certification Courses beginning on the following dates! This will be the only class this fall, besides private classes on Saturdays. You will need to have your own mask, snorkel, and mouthpiece before the start of class due to COVID procedures. It is highly recommended to have your own boots, fins, and wetsuit. 

 

June 21, 2023 - Wed. evenings from 6-9pm ** Registration opens online on May 21

   

The class meets one night a week for 7 weeks. The first 1½ hours is academics and the second 1½ hours is practical session in the pool.

All classes are held at Northwestern University's Henry Crown Sports Pavilion and Norris Aquatics Center in Evanston. 

The cost of this course is $425.00 ($400.00 for NU Students).
Included are textbooks and use of equipment.

 

What if I miss a class?

If you miss a class, the classroom makeup fee is $35 and the pool makeup fee is $50.  For both the classroom and the pool makeup, the cost is $85. 

Open water Training Dives are NOT included, details listed below.

 

Open Water Training Dives

After successfully completing your confined water and classroom sessions, you must complete four Open water Training Dives to receive your certification. We hold these training dives regularly throughout the summer season as well as on any of our dive trips.

 

Here in Illinois we do the training dives down at Haigh Quarry in Kankakee, IL.

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Upcoming Open Water Training Dives dates: 

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Usually the last weekend of each month. Call to reserve spaces.

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The fee for Open Water training dives is $200.00 for all four dives as well as processing your certification paperwork. For those of you who are not yet purchasing all your own SCUBA gear we provide a special rental rate for all gear (except Mask, Snorkel, Boots, Fins and Timing Device) of $81.00 for both days. This includes a regulator (w/ alternate, pressure gauge and depth gauge), BCD, weights & belt, 2 tanks, wetsuit, hood and gloves. 

 

The fee DOES NOT include the entry fee for Haigh Quarry ($25 per diver per day) 

 

A $50.00 deposit is required to hold a reservation for a given weekend, and is transferable to a different weekend with at least 7 days notice.  Deposits are transferable, not refundable.

 

You must complete your Open Water Training Dives within 1 year of finishing your confined water and classroom sessions. If several months (6 or more) pass before you complete your checkout dives, we require you to take a Refresher course to prepare for the dives.

 

Call us today to sign up at (847) 475-7946!